OUTWARDLY Synonyms: 41 Similar and Opposite Words

outwardly

adverb

Definition of outwardly

as in externally

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Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Recent Examples of outwardly Many people may feel hesitant to be themselves, while outwardly searching for a deeper connection. — Ethan M. Stone, USA Today, 20 July 2026 Outside of his mechanical knowledge and appreciation for the robots, Wyatt wanted to display his love for them outwardly and began begging his mom for Roomba and robot vacuum everything. — Tabitha Parent, PEOPLE, 10 July 2026 His dad, Rick Brunson, a former player who now works as a Knicks assistant coach, seemed markedly more excited, at least outwardly, to be there. — Vinson Cunningham, New Yorker, 18 June 2026 Other candidates, Othman said, were not as outwardly against Israel’s war with Hamas. — Kyle Martin, Mercury News, 17 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for outwardly

Recent Examples of Synonyms for outwardly

Adverb

Making everyone a potential spy or assassin was only an expedient way to destroy institutions internally and externally through financial incentives.

— Finn Brunton, Harpers Magazine, 1 Sep. 2026
The strategy can be autonomous relative to the human's moment-to-moment control while the objective remains externally imposed.

— Hamilton Mann, Forbes.com, 23 Aug. 2026

Definition of externally

Adverb

The Wolverines looked out of sorts for most of the night, and Whittingham was visibly displeased with their performance.

— Austin Meek, New York Times, 6 Sep. 2026
Casting Pattinson in the role leaves little to the imagination, as the IRL Hansen’s more equanimous, jovially unflappable, everyday demeanor is replaced here by someone who’s visibly diseased in the head from the very top.

— Ryan Lattanzio, IndieWire, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of visibly

Adverb

The premise for prevention is to create an accountability role for everyone to play, no matter how small or seemingly insignificant.

— Chicago Tribune, Chicago Tribune, 31 Aug. 2026
Many of the seemingly absurd projects celebrated by the Ig Nobels have gone on to inspire practical advances in scientific knowledge.

— Encyclopedia Britannica, Encyclopedia Britannica, 31 Aug. 2026

Definition of seemingly

Adverb

The brothers were apparently never scheduled to appear at the conference, though journalists and fans in the room seemed to not be aware of this.

— Ellise Shafer, Variety, 5 Sep. 2026
Although law firms are beginning to embrace the benefits of generative AI, the technology apparently makes many law schools squeamish.

— Sian Leah Beilock, The Atlantic, 5 Sep. 2026

Definition of apparently

Adverb

The result is a twisted, naturalistic fairytale about structural realities; with the right boot-heel at one’s neck, even ostensibly life-giving forces like forests and rivers can be turned against innocent people.

— Siddhant Adlakha, Variety, 5 Sep. 2026
But challengers emerged and weakened its quest for dominance, often with different models ostensibly tailored to be more local.

— Alexander Onukwue, semafor.com, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of ostensibly

Adverb

Most players largely celebrate their own successes, rather than their opponents’ errors, and antics like those supposedly violate the sport’s unwritten behavioral codes.

— Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 4 Sep. 2026
According to legend, a traveling salesman saw the escape artist in the booth and locked him inside, supposedly causing Houdini to furiously attempt to kick his way out.

— Dan Kelly, Kansas City Star, 4 Sep. 2026

Definition of supposedly

Adverb

Miller has long been concerned with some of the actions taken after 9/11, putatively in her name, against Muslims in general.

— Gloria Pazmino, CNN Money, 8 Aug. 2026
The eight-story glass building at the center of the complex, which had putatively been devoted to vaccine manufacturing, was in fact a highly classified defense facility.

— Gideon Lewis-Kraus, New Yorker, 25 July 2026

Definition of putatively

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outward

outwardly

outwards

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“Outwardly.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/outwardly. Accessed 8 Sep. 2026.

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Synonyms of outwardly

adverb

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